Redding laments ‘wrong tyre choice, trying new things’ for falling back

After starting two of the three Estoril WorldSBK races from fourth, Scott Redding was unable to hold onto a top five as front tyre struggles came back to haunt the BMW rider.

Robert Jones

23 May 2022

While Estoril was a better outing in general for Redding and BMW, the 2020 WorldSBK runner-up suffered with a lack of front grip and a change of setting [race two], leading to missed opportunities after qualifying fourth.

It wasn’t just front grip that was an issue for Redding though, as race starts were once again an issue aside from the Superpole race where gained third off championship leader Alvaro Bautista.

New livery fails to bring Redding, BMW luck

Sporting a new livery for race one as part of a celebration of BMW’s 50th birthday, Redding was able to keep pace with the likes of Pata Yamaha rider Andrea Locatelli during the early stages, however, Iker Lecuona, Xavi Vierge and Alex Lowes all made their way through late on.

A similar pattern occurred in the ten lap Superpole race which was much more of a surprise given the shorter distance, but with that said, Redding claimed a wrong tyre choice was the issue, not degradation.

Speaking after an improved weekend in terms of raw pace, but one where results failed to show it, Redding said: "We had a bit of a better weekend here in Estoril. Qualifying was good after I had a better feeling with the bike in FP1. And this always helps for the rest of the weekend.

"In race one, we struggled with the front tyre a little bit which was difficult for us. Then in the Superpole race, we probably made the wrong tyre choice.

"In race two I was really struggling to stop the bike in hard braking areas and didn’t really have much acceleration. A little bit of a shame because we were riding really well this weekend. We’re in a position still where we’re trying new things to make the next step and sometimes that will cost you a race.”

"But in the end it was a better weekend for me so I hope to continue the form that we had in general over the weekend and seek to continue the momentum in Misano."

Bonovo BMW endure an Estoril WorldSBK round to forget

Able to show pace at times - finished third in warm-up - Loriz Baz was another BMW rider who failed to deliver a result to match during any of the three races.

Baz, like team-mate Eugene Laverty, was heavily compromised for race two after suffering a big highside in the Superpole race.

The two crashes happened in back-to-back laps for Baz and Laverty, a disaster given the factory team was also without Michael Van Der Mark.

Frustrated by the lack of pace to challenge for podiums or wins so far in 2022, Baz summed up his weekend by saying: "I didn’t put myself in the easiest position by crashing in Superpole and finishing qualifying in 12th place. But I had a strong pace in race one and brought the bike back into the top 10.

"In warm-up I was third, it was a nice session, I really enjoyed riding the bike in the wet for the first time. The Superpole race was really tricky though. I usually like those conditions but unfortunately I hit a wet patch and had a big highside.

"The guys did a fantastic job not only fixing one, but two bikes to bring them back on the grid for race two. So hats off to them and big thanks, we’ll buy the guys a couple of beers tonight.

Loris Baz and Eugene Laverty, Estoril WorldSBK, 22 May

"Then race two, I still had some brake problems as on Saturday and was not feeling too comfortable on corner entry. It was really humid, raining in some corners and we just lost too much rear grip and I had no feeling to go any faster.

"At the moment, we are not fighting for the win or the podium but we have to accept that and work as hard as we can. This is what all BMW riders and the entire team do and I hope we will have a good step forwards in Misano."